12.1 in. x 12 in White 1-Ply Napkins vs 100% Recycled Paper Napkins: which is safer?

100% Recycled Paper Napkins is the clear pick. Bounty 12.1 in. x 12 in White 1-Ply Napkins carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.

Bounty 12.1 in. x 12 in White 1-Ply Napkins

Bounty

12.1 in. x 12 in White 1-Ply Napkins

PFAS grade

Poor 25/100

Overall grade

Bad 3/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Virgin wood pulp with grease-resistant coating

Confidence

45%

LikelyUndisclosed fluorochemical coating (likely PFAS)

PossibleThermal decomposition of coating at high heat

Our pick

100% Recycled Paper Napkins

Seventh Generation

100% Recycled Paper Napkins

PFAS grade

Good 70/100

Overall grade

Good 62/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

100% recycled paper

Confidence

82%

PossibleTrace metals and contaminants from recycled feedstock

PossibleMicrobial growth (mold, mildew) in storage

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Undisclosed fluorochemical coating (likely PFAS) and Thermal decomposition of coating at high heat on the Bounty and not on the Seventh Generation.
  • We flag Trace metals and contaminants from recycled feedstock and Microbial growth (mold, mildew) in storage on the Seventh Generation and not on the Bounty.
  • The Bounty is Virgin wood pulp with grease-resistant coating where the Seventh Generation is 100% recycled paper, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Seventh Generation is the one to buy.
  • We are less certain about the Bounty grade, at 45% confidence against 82%, because it discloses less.

Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More paper napkins & paper towels, see the full ranking